The USA Today/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association weekly poll has the Ouachita Baptist University Lady Tigers in 23rd place in results released Tuesday evening. It is the highest ranking ever achieved by the school in the poll which is a national barometer of the caliber of teams from across the country.

Ouachita was ranked 25th in the second poll of the season released Dec. 14.

“Naturally we are gratified to the voters for placing us in this position,” said OBU head coach Garry Crowder. “It is a reflection of the dedication and hard work given to our program by our players, coaches and staff.”

The Lady Tigers, members of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference (North Division), gained 81 points in the poll. The poll includes games through Saturday, Jan. 1. Ouachita’s record at that point was 8-0. The team played in the Ravine Classic on Monday and Tuesday at the Duke Wells Center at Henderson State University and went 1-1 with a win over the University of Montevallo (Ala.) and a loss to Texas Wesleyan University, leaving OBU with current 9-1 season mark.

Only one other state team — the Arkansas Tech University Golden Suns are listed in the top 25 of the USA Today/WBCA Poll. Tech, a member of the NCAA Division II Gulf South Conference (West Division), is in the 21st spot with 99 points and an 8-4 record. Since December, the Suns fell from the 18th position to their current spot in the poll.

Another GSC team — the Delta State University Lady Statesmen from Cleveland, Miss. — are in fourth place in the poll with a 8-0 record and 496 points. Delta was seventh in the last rating. West Texas A&M University, a LSC entry from Canyon, Texas, is in 13th place with a 9-2 record and 318 points. Ouachita defeated WTAMU earlier this season. The Lady Buffs fell from the ninth position since the December poll.

The voting panel consists of 24 Division II head coaches who are members of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. They represent all eight WBCA districts and each NCAA Division II conference.